BEIJING, November 11. /TASS/. Chinese President Xi Jinping started his meeting with US President Barack Obama in the Chinese government residence Zhongnanhai from a call to study China’s history to understand the country’s people, China’s central television reported Tuesday.

“The understanding of China’s modern history is very important for understanding of modern ideals and aspirations of the Chinese people,” said Xi, who walked with Obama along Zhongnanhai and familiarized his guest with the long history of the residence, including the island of Yingtai.

After the stroll, the two leaders started talks.

Obama arrived in China on November 10 on an invitation from Xi for participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which ended today, as well as on a state visit that will last until November 12.

Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that the two leaders will exchange opinions on Chinese-US relations and important international and regional problems of mutual interest.